A Delhi court on Monday extended the interim stay on further investigation into Law Minister Kapil Mishra’s alleged involvement in the 2020 northeast Delhi riots.
The matter will now be revisited on May 7, as earlier court notices could not be delivered to some of the respondents.
Delay Due To Unserved Notices
The extension was granted by Special Judge Kaveri Baweja, who was informed during the hearing that court notices, originally issued on April 9, had not been served. This procedural delay prompted the judge to extend the stay on the investigation, which had been initially imposed until April 21.
These notices were directed at Mohammad Ilyas and others, who were asked to respond to the petition filed by Mishra challenging a lower court’s order. The failure to serve these notices meant the matter could not proceed as scheduled.
Representing Mishra in the court was Senior Advocate P K Dubey, while Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad appeared on behalf of the Delhi Police. Both parties addressed the court during the brief proceedings, which focused mainly on the status of the pending notices.
Magistrate Cited Need For Investigation
The case has its origins in an April 1 order passed by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Vaibhav Chaurasia. In that ruling, the magistrate stated that there was sufficient preliminary evidence to justify a deeper investigation.
“It is clear that Mishra was in the area at the time of alleged offence. Further probe required,” the magistrate noted. This conclusion followed a petition by Mohammad Ilyas, a resident of Yamuna Vihar, who had asked the court to direct the police to register a First Information Report (FIR) against Mishra.
Delhi Police Rejects Allegations
Despite the magistrate’s observations, the Delhi Police has opposed the plea for an FIR. The police maintain that there is no evidence linking Mishra to any criminal activity during the 2020 riots and argue that the request for a fresh investigation is unwarranted.
The case continues to draw public interest due to its connection to one of Delhi’s most tragic episodes of communal violence in recent years, which claimed over 50 lives and left scores injured.
The court will now hear the matter again on May 7, once the pending notices have been properly served.
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